Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 8012 Nursing Technology and Health Care Information Systems
Prof. Name
Date
In the modern healthcare landscape, the integration of technological advancements has become increasingly prevalent. However, healthcare professionals must thoroughly understand the potential risks associated with the implementation of such innovations. This is particularly crucial for Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nurses, who may be tasked with leading large-scale informatics implementation projects. Identifying and mitigating these risks is essential to safeguard patient data integrity and ensure safety within healthcare environments (Scantlebury et al., 2021).
The SAFER Guides offer a structured approach to assessing the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems as a solution to address safety, process, or quality issues in healthcare settings. This study examines the application of these guides in evaluating the implementation of an EHR system at Allen Hospital (Aguirre et al., 2019). Findings from this assessment will help inform the development of a risk mitigation plan in future evaluations. By utilizing the SAFER Guides, DNP nurses can comprehensively understand the risks of implementing informatics solutions in healthcare, which is vital for ensuring patient safety, data integrity, and the success of informatics projects (Flaubert et al., 2021).
The introduction of an EHR is a proposed informatics solution aimed at transforming practice to improve patient care and outcomes in healthcare settings (Tsai et al., 2020). Replacing the paper-based record-keeping system with a digital platform, the EHR will enable healthcare providers to access patient information from a centralized location. The EHR will capture and store patient data, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, allergies, laboratory results, and radiology reports. The primary goal of the EHR implementation is to improve patient care by providing healthcare providers with easy access to accurate, up-to-date patient information (Adane et al., 2019). This ensures informed clinical decisions, reducing errors and enhancing patient safety. Additionally, the EHR will streamline administrative processes such as billing and scheduling, increasing efficiency and reducing costs while improving patient satisfaction.
Area of Assessment | Performance | Findings |
---|---|---|
Hardware and Software Reliability | Good | Allen Hospital has implemented robust hardware and software systems that are secure, stable, and reliable, ensuring data protection and availability (Szarfman et al., 2022). |
Contingency Planning | Good | Strong contingency plans are in place to protect data during disasters or system failures, with standard backup and recovery measures (Melnychuk et al., 2022). |
Clinical Process Improvement | Good | Clinical decision support tools have been integrated into the EHR, improving patient care, reducing errors, and enhancing clinical outcomes (Enticott et al., 2021). |
The SAFER Guides assessment of the EHR system at Allen Hospital also identified several risks. These include concerns related to hardware and software scalability, contingency planning, system interfaces, patient identification, clinical workflows, and communication. For instance, the hospital’s IT infrastructure may not adequately support the new EHR system, potentially leading to system downtime and data loss (Keshta & Odeh, 2020). Moreover, the EHR system may require significant hardware upgrades, and robust contingency plans are necessary to safeguard against system failure or data loss (McGowan et al., 2022). Additionally, the new system’s interoperability with existing systems, such as the laboratory information system, could present data consistency challenges (Khubone et al., 2020).
Risk Area | Risk Identified | Mitigation Strategy |
---|---|---|
Hardware and Software Scalability | Insufficient IT infrastructure may lead to system downtime and data loss | Invest in infrastructure upgrades to meet system requirements (Keshta & Odeh, 2020). |
Contingency Planning | Lack of robust backup and recovery systems could result in data loss | Develop a comprehensive backup and recovery system (McGowan et al., 2022). |
System Interfaces | Lack of seamless integration with existing systems could lead to data consistency issues | Ensure interoperability between the EHR and other systems (Khubone et al., 2020). |
Patient Identification | Potential risk of incorrect data assignment to patient records | Implement a reliable patient identification system (Das et al., 2020). |
Communication | Inadequate communication channels could lead to data breaches and errors | Establish secure and reliable communication channels for all stakeholders (Bhagat et al., 2020). |
The SAFER Guides proved invaluable in identifying potential risks associated with the EHR implementation at Allen Hospital. This process emphasized the importance of proactive risk management and collaboration with stakeholders, including IT staff, clinicians, and administrators, to ensure a comprehensive risk mitigation plan (Bhagat et al., 2020). This experience will guide future practice as a DNP nurse, highlighting the significance of collaboration and risk assessment in informatics projects within healthcare settings.
The SAFER Guides were instrumental in identifying both risks and areas for improvement in implementing the EHR system at Allen Hospital. These findings enabled the development of a risk mitigation plan to support the successful implementation of the EHR. As a DNP nurse, the lessons learned from using the SAFER Guides will inform future informatics projects, emphasizing the importance of risk assessment, mitigation, and collaboration in healthcare technology initiatives (Run et al., 2019).
Adane, K., Gizachew, M., & Kendie, S. (2019). The role of medical data in efficient patient care delivery: A review. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 12(12), 67–73. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s179259
Aguirre, R. R., Suarez, O., Fuentes, M., & Sanchez-Gonzalez, M. A. (2019). Electronic health record implementation: A review of resources and tools. Cureus, 11(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.5649
Bhagat, S., Kapatkar, V. K., Mane, A., Pinto, C., Parikh, D., Mittal, G., & Jain, R. (2020). An industry perspective on risks and mitigation strategies associated with post conduct phase of clinical trials. Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials, 15(1), 28–33. https://doi.org/10.2174/1574887114666191016103332
Das, S., Siroky, G. P., Lee, S., Mehta, D., & Suri, R. (2020). Cybersecurity: The need for data and patient safety with cardiac implantable electronic devices. Heart Rhythm, 3(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.10.009
Enticott, J., Johnson, A., & Teede, H. (2021). Learning health systems using data to drive healthcare improvement and impact: A systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06215-8
Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Educating nurses for the future. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573912
Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2020). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2020.07.003
Khubone, T., Tlou, B., & Mashamba-Thompson, T. P. (2020). Electronic health information systems to improve disease diagnosis and management at point-of-care in low and middle income countries: A narrative review. Diagnostics, 10(5), 327. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10050327
McGowan, J., Wojahn, A., & Nicolini, J. R. (2022). Risk Management Event Evaluation and Responsibilities. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559326
Melnychuk, E., Sallade, T. D., & Kraus, C. K. (2022). Hospitals as disaster victims: Lessons not learned? Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, 3(1), e12632. https://doi.org/10.1002/emp2.12632
Scantlebury, A., Sheard, L., Fedell, C., & Wright, J. (2021). What are the implications for patient safety and experience of a major healthcare IT breakdown? A qualitative study. DIGITAL HEALTH, 7(3), 205520762110100. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076211010033
Szarfman, A., Levine, J. G., Tonning, J. M., Weichold, F., Bloom, J. C., Soreth, J. M., Geanacopoulos, M., Callahan, L., Spotnitz, M., Ryan, Q., Pease-Fye, M., Brown
, H. R., & Bonson, K. R. (2022). Challenges in integrating systems engineering into health information technology: Lessons learned. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 5(2), e195. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2021.861
Tsai, Y.-L., Lee, Y.-H., & Wang, K.-C. (2020). How to improve the effectiveness of patient-centered healthcare systems? A survey of determinants from physicians. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(8). https://doi.org/10.2196/22072
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